But how do we know that? At this point in their careers, playing at exactly the same level competition, Umberger has achieved more. Maybe if Umberger had been signed and been at camp, we'd all be raving about him too.

It appears to be all about expectations, myself. Kesler won't score at the NHL level, but we don't *expect* him to ever do so, so therefore he's "ready". Umberger won't score at the NHL level either, but because we hope he will one day, therefore he's "not ready".

Kesler is said to be a lot harder worker and much better defensively. If either Umberger or Kesler make the club, it would be as a 3rd/4th liner, a role that Kesler is slated to fill in the future. With Umberger's supposed poor defense and inconsistency, playing him in a bottom 6 role doesn't help his development much, leading to the fact that him making the big club is less likely that Kesler who would likely thrive in a bottom 6 role.